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Tuesday, May 13, 2008

I have my 20 year class reunion coming up in October. You know what this means, right? I have 5 months to lose like 100 pounds.

I thought I'd be able to tell my fellow classmates, "Yes, I have a best selling book that came out this summer." Now I'm just going to have to say something cool like, "I have a blog", which is another way of saying, "I'm a great big computer dork."

I went to Classmates.com, looked at the list of fellow graduates and recognized like 5 names. Seriously, I swear I don't remember anyone. This realization was somehow disturbing to me. Did I have any friends in high school? I'm pretty sure I did. I remember hanging out with people after school and on weekends. I have all sorts of signatures in my yearbook. The thing is - I don't know who 90% of the signatures are from. The names are completely foreign. Have I just completely lost my mind? What is my deal?

Since I apparently don't remember a single person I went to high school with, why should I even go to the reunion. Who am I going to be reunited with? I don't have any old flames from high school that I'd love to see. There are no bullies with whom I'd like to get even. There are no popular kids I'd like to see all fat and lonely now. There are no outcasts to whom I need to apologize for making fun of. There doesn't really seem to be a point to going. I'm still best friends with my best friends from high school and we see each other on a regular basis. So, should I go to the reunion and walk around, staring at people's name tags and feigning recognition when they come up and say, "Hi! I haven't seen you in 20 years! Remember me?"Or worse yet, maybe no one will remember me! They'll talk to each other and ask, "Who's that loser in the corner? Do you remember her?"

I think the key to enjoying your high school reunion is making up stuff.

What are you doing these days, Dawn?Well, I work for NASA.Really? Wow, I'm surprised. Didn't you fail math like 3 years in a row?

So what are you doing with yourself now?I'm in a circus. I train elephants.

What do you do for a living?I'm a CIA agent.

What have you done with your life since high school?I'm still trying to pass algebra 101.I invented bubble wrap.

I'm dating Charlie Sheen.

I live in Punxsutawney. I'm in charge of feeding the groundhog.

I spent 12 years in Africa learning how to communicate with giraffes.

I have six kids.

That could make for an interesting night. Until people started comparing notes, at which point they might come to the conclusion that I'm insane. Although having the entire graduating class thinking I'm off my rocker would be worth seeing the perplexed looks on their faces when I tell them that I'm a rodeo clown.

Yep, I definitely think I'll be going to this event. If nothing else, it should provide me with blog material. But I promise I won't make Joe go with me. I imagine the only thing more boring than going to your class reunion is going to your spouse's class reunion.

74 comments:

LOL have you seen the movie "Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion" ? They were in exactly the same situation so they decided to tell everyone that they were the ones who had invented Post-It notes.......hilarious

My experience of my class reunion was that everyone was just happy to see the people who came. I think you will enjoy it. I think the 10 yr is where people are still trying to impress eveyone. The 20 yr, they are just happy to be sharing memories and catching up. Hope you enjoy yourself!

Oh lordy...I have my 50th class reunion in the fall and I have only two people I really remember...AND the reunion is 2000 miles away...and all I can remember is wanting out of that little prairie town and never going back...I still haven't made up my mind. Maybe your solution would make things interesting at least!

Yep, going to your spouse's reunion would be bad. My husband and I, however, graduated the same year from the same high school. We had our 20 year reunion almost 2years ago....I knew everyone, he knew hardly anyone!! :)Go...hang out with your friends, eat, drink, and make fun of everyone.....that's what reunions are for!!

I skipped my reunion too, didn't care much for any of them in high school, I definately don't care much for them now...But to get some good ideas you should watch "Romy and Michelle, Blondes have more fun". :-)Take care!

I remember people but I don't remember much about school at all. So, when someone remembers me, it is a little bit intimidating. Just exactly what do they remember about me? Did I do anything stupid that I don't remember but causes them to remember me? Aaaahhh!How big was your graduating class?

"Since I apparently don't remember a single person I went to high school with, why should I even go to the reunion. Who am I going to be reunited with?" This is the reason I didn't go. Instead, a group of six of us got together for an afternoon of meeting each other's spouses and kids. Then the dads all took the kids to inlaws, hotels or home, about six bottles of wine were opened and we spent the rest of the evening really catching up! Better than the actual reunion by far.

You're not the only one trying to clear those cobwebs to remember who was who in high school. Maybe to help job other people's memories, you could polish off that high school hair-doo for the reunion!~Molly in NH

My 20 yr reunion will be next year, and I have already told/warned my husband that I am going. I wanted to go to my 10 yr., but we lived 1200 miles away and was 8 months pregnant with baby #5. I have gotten on classmates.com and I have gotten my yearbook out to help me remember people. I really enjoy reading your blog. I also have a lot of kids, (8, 6 bio + 2 adopted), so I feel I can relate to a lot of what you write about. I look forward to reading your book, when it comes out. Has anyone compared you to Erma Bombeck? Have a good day!Jennie

Hi Dawn, I just went to my 25th year class reunion and It was just like you discribed. No one I wanted to see was there and did not know many there. We showed up late so we did'nt have to pay. The best part of the whole thing was the booze. That made for some fun. But seriously, staring at people's (breast) name tags is quite hilarious. Have Fun, Kristine in Michigan.

Well, be thankful that your reunion committee at least found you. I received an email about a month before the reunion indicating that I was a "missing" graduate.

Missing? how is this possible, I have been registered on Classmates.com for at least 7 years!!!!

What is the point of Classmates.com if the reunion committee is not going to bother looking there for you?

I ended up not going to the reunion, 1st because by the time I was notifed I already had plans for that date & 2nd I was so annoyed at their lack of effort that I decided I didn't want to see these people again.

Maybe I'll feel differently about the 25th reunion-if I am notified about it, that is!!!!!!

Good idea, leaving Joe at home. I went to my husband's 40th reunion and everyone had a gazillion grandkids, including the Planned Parenthood people. Not a single one of our four boys is even married yet. Hey, maybe you're so famous they'll ask you to give the reunion after-dinner speech, and then you would tell them... what?

Dawn, I want to make sure that your devoted fans buy your book from a large chain or a large online chain when it is released. I am not in support of this for regular books, but I have seen books published by Christian Authors that were purchased at Christian and small bookstores that would have been on the bestseller list had they been purchased at other stores. The reason is that the New York Times bestseller list takes total sales tallies from certain booksellers. The smaller vendors do not get added into this total. So, please help boost Dawn to a New York Times bestseller! Buy from a big seller.

With your second book, it won't matter as much. By then, you Will be a celebrity and your loyal following will know where to find you. Also, you will have all kinds of new fans so we can support our local bookstores and still keep you on the New York Times Bestseller list.

Thanks for all you do in making us laugh at our lives by sharing so much of your life and the details of a large family.

PS, have you ever read the book raisin' brains? It is a very entertaining read of a woman who raises lots of smart kids with giftedness in very different areas (one in reading, one in math, one in drama, etc.) and she tells many accounts of each child. To protect their identity (or because she has really bad taste in names) their names are a match to their personality and highly entertaining. Does someone really name all their children such tasteless names? I think maybe I should give my kids 2 sets of names... pen names and real names... One for the stories I tell and one for reality. Or perhaps a third, the first middle and last for when they are in trouble....

I have 5 and for Mother's day, I was awakened at 6:30 by my 2 year old. About 9 I remember it is mother's day when it is mentioned on her tv show and she turns to me and wishes me happy mother's day. Then, I turn to my husband and tell him for mother's day I want a nap.

He takes over with the kids. A little while later, my 11 year old comes and pokes me (I sleep with ear plugs) and tells me not to worry, BUT, My 2 year old put a washcloth in the toaster oven and started a fire. It is all out now. I roll over and peacefully go back to sleep. Happy mother's day!

My husband and I both have our 20 year reunions this year too, and I feel exactly the same way you do. Who are these people. Was I friends with any of them? Then, I get the joy of going to my husband's. Who are these people?

I had a similar dinner situation last night.....Me: Stop playing with your food and eat.Child: I can't my nose itches.Me: You can't stop playing with your food because you nose itches?Child: Yes, that's right.

It seems as though you already decided, however there more things to consider. Yes, you might get to see someone that you forgot and you can go there and be bored to death. Have you thought or consider that you are the one who makes the decision to enjoy life or live like a hermit. People can make your life better or worse it really depends how you let it apply to you spiritually. Accept people as they are, if you happen to meet a less than desirable person try to remember that they are someones child. Life goes by very fast, people make it more interesting. You will face trials and challenges, most people will want to help you get ahead in life. Live it today as if tomorrow will not come.

Don't remember anyone from high school, eh? ::: runs to the corner to go fetal and suck thumb :::

Dude, you've gotta come. You, me, booze, and a camera. Just think of the blog fodder! And the opportunities for me to mess with, er, I mean, enhance candid photos!

There are others who've told me they'd like to come but they hardly remember anyone. So we can be the "I have no idea who the hell you are" group. We can throw gang signs at each other. Word. Hey, what about Julie - she's coming, right?

AND you can still say you have a book coming out, dadblameit! The reunion is in October, and if your book is scheduled to come out the following May, that's perfect timing..."My book is coming out in about six months."

Think of it this way: it's a night out. Sans kids. With booze. I'll even drive! Or hail the cab, whichever.

And I'll join you in arse-reduction efforts. After this brownie here. M'kay?

My husband's 20th reunion is coming up soon, and being that no one would know the first thing about ME, we decided that I'd be a high-class escort, and he'll play the part of Escort Service owner. We'll have fun with it, at least.

Everytime I go to one of my reunions I ask myself what am I doing here. I didn't like any of these people in highschool so why do I want to see them now. It's scary to see how many old guys there are at your 20 year reunion with gray hair or bald. Some of the women look more like they are in their 50's. Some of us just don't age very well. It's worth it for that if nothing else.

Well I'm glad someone finally said it.It needed to be said. But when I would mention those same reasons for not wanting to go to my reuninon, I would get looks like I tried to shoot Mother Theresa. Yes, I am aware she is dead. Which kinda makes it worse, don't you think? Making up careers would be the most fun you could have.Good luck with that.

HA HA HA!!! Ugh, don't go! It doesn't sound like you have any reason to. I didn't go to my 10th, and I'm sure I won't be going to my 20th! The only reason to go would be for the blogging material, as you said. And you could still brag about your UPCOMING book, although it won't be as fun as telling them how many copies it has already sold. If you do go, drag your husband along with you! That would add greatly to the blogging material!

Have you every seen "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion?" It is so funny. They are the ultimate pretenders..... of course they were rather loosery.http://www.amazon.com/Romy-Micheles-High-School-Reunion/dp/6305428425/ref=pd_bbs_1/105-7188602-9487668?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1210691526&sr=8-1

How funny my husband has just started getting e-mails for his 20th reunion just a couple of days ago. We never when to his 10 year because I was hugely pregnant at the time, ready to deliver any day. Someone set up a website where they could all connect as their planning the thing. I saw all these gorgeous women with adorable families. I think I would've been a little intimidated had I gone when I was pregnant. The one that got me was a very pretty lady who declared herself "single and loving it", she had no kids and was living life solo. After 20 years of high school I'm glad that I at least fell like we've moved on in life.

Oh dude. You totally have to go. When you see faces, rather than names, you'll start to remember people.

And yes! You walk right in there and tell everyone that you wrote a book and that it's being published and to keep an eye out for you on the best seller list next year. They don't have to know that it was postponed.

I went to my 10 year reunion almost 2 years ago. I didn't want to go. The few people that I had any interest in seeing were people that I'd already been keeping in touch with and I hated(no, really, I HATED) high school. 2 of my good friends drug me there with them. It was an interesting night, and Im glad that I went. My 2 friends getting drunk off their tushies later wasn't as fun(I'm not into babysitting adults and I don't drink like that anymore. Okay.. occasionally I do, but not in public lol) for me.

I was determined that I would go and that not one person would remember me. And not only did I get hit on 10 minutes after we got to the nightclub that it was being held at(2 months after having baby #4, thank you very much), but a guy that I was great friends with all through jr. High and High school came up to me and remembered me. And he wasn't the only one that remembered me!

So! don't worry about all of that stuff. Just go!

Because all of us want to hear about it.

I also want to hear about this fake giraffe communications job that never held for 12 years. That sounds interesting.

Having been to both my husband's and my own 20 year reunions... here is what I can share -- I had just as much or more fun at my husband's -- I didn't care about who I talked to, and after a few beers even pretended with a few drunks that I had gone to school with them. They would stare at me like they were trying to figure out how they "knew" me and I would read their nametag from a distance then walk up and say "OMGosh Bill, wow, how great to see you" and they would feel obligated to remember me and look at my nametag and say "Oh wow, Susan Sarandon, I remember you..." and I would say something like "yeah we had 3rd period Algebra" and they would reply "oh yeah"... then they would go to my husband, seriously, and say "I didn't remember you having a sister" (which he does, but she is enough older and went to MY high school, so they didn't remember her). Seriously, his sister - at the same reunion, um duh. At my own reunion, aside from the 2 or 3 people that stalked me around (also at my ten year) and let me know how I saved them in High School or how I was the only person who was nice, blah blah... it was truly nice to have them saying such nice things, at least they didn't want to kill me, but I had NO FREAKING clue who they were... I had a great time, particularly at the twenty. The ten year seemed to be all about "wow look at me I'm a supermodel/rocket scientist and I'm married to the President" -- except for the bookworm stick up the butt geeks who were all about "I'm not a geek anymore and I'm gonna stand here at the bar and do shots all night even though in HS I totally judged you for drinking"... and the recent divorcees who were simply there to apparently get laid -- I got way off track, the twenty was all about just seeing each other, nobody seemed to care who was fat, who was rich, who had 42 kids, who was divorced... we just enjoyed catching up... and my husband didn't have much fun actually - not nearly as much fun as I had at his.

Hi Dawn, I'm one of your fellow graduates. My name is Susan. I'm sure you don't remember me. Actually, I didan't remember who you were until I read your blog. Beej told me about your success which lead me to your site. Your writng is awesome. Go to the reunion -leave that diaper bag at home, have a drink and go toot your own horn! You totally derserve it. Congratulations on your success.

You have to go! You'll be the life of the party. I had my 20 year back in Sept '07 and it was a blast. I went in just thinking have as much fun as possible. Of course, graduating with a class of about 69 people who went to school together from K to 12... it's hard to forget people... but even then- I kept calling one of my classmates, David. FINALLY at the end of the night he says, "Cheryl! I'm Lloyd Silvas!" It was hilarious! My other classmates were laughing their butts off at me! Go Dawn! YOU are too fun not to have fun!

I'm with Cheryl - a small class that goes to school together from K-12 is much more fun to reunite with! My 20 year reunion is next weekend and I'm looking forward to it! Of course, my class only had 21 students! I've been in charge of looking for everyone, and it's definitely not easy, even with such a small class. I think I've found about 2/3 of the group.

For some reason, I have it stuck in my head that you are SOOOO much older than me. Maybe it is because you are married with a bajillion kids. Ok. I know its only 6 kis, but.. I am sure it sometimes feels like bajillion. Anyways. I am not married, nor have children, so I gues it makes me feel WAY younger. Then thing is.... I am only 3 years young. Dang. It scares the heck out of me thinking I have my 20 year reunion coming up. That is just NOT possible.

At least I have 3 years to lose the weight. (Ya right. Lets see that happen. Oy!)

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I don't know where else to put this comment. But I just wanted to thank you for having such a great website that is funny, fun to read and not offensive in any way. I just went to the douce website that they had on Good Morning America and I was offended. I just kept thinking- Dawn's is so much better. She should be getting all the money and publicity.

The only person I would want to see or be with is my best friend and I see her every other year at her house and I talk with her on the phone at least 10 times a year. We mail birthday cards to each other, call when the kids do something fantastic, smart or stupid and we get along splendidly well. Reunions are expensive, childish for the idiots who still haven't grown up and a general "who cares about who" episode. She and I love to see each other and we don't need a reunion to prove that. We've been best friends for 22 years and we call each other on the anniversary. Who can ask for more than that??

In your case, Dawn, it would be a fabulous blog entry to dish about the goings on and a terrific chapter in your second book. Not going, on the other hand, could cost you book revenue. Go and bring back stories for us to laugh at. Have a great day!

I never made it to any of mine--they always seemed to cooincide with things like getting married, having a baby or moving. **sigh** But yeah, then there's that whole coming up with an accomplishment thing....

Dawn,You have to go. The 20 year is SO different from the 10. People are just glad to see smiling faces.

And who cares what you do or what your hubby does. I had to tell my classmates my husband was a PUPPET MAKER. Can you imagine??? Good Lord. So here I am explaining to EVERYONE, you know like Clifford the Big Red Dog costume. People get into the puppet to run it.Next time I'll tell them all he is a janitor!

And don't worry about weight. At mine EVERYONE said I looked EXACTAILLY the same as I did in HS. I would grab the sides of my face and say "Why yes I do."

I did this last August and it was so funny!! I also did not make my spouse go, but many people did, which was so foreign to me. I mean, why??? Anyway, I have stayed in touch with a few very close friends but since going, have reconnected with a lot of people and found out that a lot of them live in the same town as me and I NEVER SEE THEM! Thank goodness for Facebook!

You should go, but only if you can keep a straight face when you tell people you invented bubble wrap WHILE you were dating Charlie Sheen!Not remembering high school class mates simply means that you're so satisfied with your life now, you don't need to look back for anything that's missing. Or something like that....

I went to the 10th reunion. I don't know if they had a 20th. The 25th is this summer, yet nothing has been scheduled, according to the high school and classmates.

I was the quiet kid who rarely talked in school. Most people didn't remember me at the 10 yr. I thought it was great that the stuck up snobby cheerleaders were having trouble keeping their weight down then and I was still skinny. Of course, that was 7 children ago. i am not skinny now. :)

Dawn,You SHOULD go to the reunion. I bet there will be very few people there who would get 1770 hits on their name in Google and most of the hits would really be about them. That has to be something to talk about. Besides, I bet people will know you even if you don't know them and they can be THRILLED to say that they knew you when!Sandy, HE, Illinois

My ten year reunion is coming up and I am pretty sure I do NOT want to go- but I might change my mind. I say see how you are feeling when it gets closer. Like you said, it will make for great blog material!

A friend of mine rode on a bus from Kentucky to Wisconsin for our 10 yr with an 18 month old child in tow. I told her she was crazy, I wouldn't go across the street for that! Afterwards she reported that someone had absconded with the money and so instead of having the reunion at a hotel, they rented the legion hall and ordered buckets of chicken. Made me glad I stayed home! I was mad at my step-mom for giving "the committee" my email address. They sent me an invitation for my 25th and a spreadsheet with everyone's name, where they lived, how many kids etc. including my info! I did not want to be found. I did look at it however, and was shocked to find how many were dead already. ugh.

Hmmm... you just reminded me that I should have a reunion coming up soon. I'll have to google it to see if there's anything going on.

I did go to my 10 year, which was interesting. Of a 500 person class, I'd say fewer than 100 were there. And most of those I was friends with but lost contact with (I was very into a guy at the end of high school, whoops) were among the lost people, so that was a bummer....

I went to a tiny school -- about 500 people in grades 1-12. My entire graduating class was just 49 kids. That's probably the only reason I'd remember most of them, though; we haven't kept in touch. I missed my 20th reunion in 1999. Not sure I'm going to make my 30th, although I'm a little curious about a few people.

Sometimes it just seems too much time has passed to go back. Then again, if I were a size six instead of a *cough-cough* 26 I'd probably be there in a flash. :o/ Vanity and laziness -- not a great combo! :oP

You are so funny Dawn! I dont blame you though about not wanting to go. I went to the same high school as you (graduated pretty recently) and I'm already dreading a reunion. I dont care to see people who I didnt want to be around for 4 years anyway. But I do agree it'd make for some good stories for your 2nd book. ;) If you decide to go, at least enjoy your night away!

When I went to my 20th reunion (the first one we had) someone on the organizing committee had thoughtfully made name badges using everybody's senior class picture. It was most appreciated; 20 years later, most of the men were balding and you really needed that class picture to place who they were. Most everyone in my particular home room was there. Lots of conversation like, "Stuart, you used to sit in back of me in homeroom." "Cindy, I used to sit in back of you in home room. Really, you worked your way through college and it took you 10 years going part- time? I'm so impressed with your dedication."

Actually I am more excited to go to my dh's reunion than my own this year. I went to school with most of these people right up until high school and then moved. So I know maybe 20 people in my graduating class and maybe 5 of them well enough that we hung out outside of school. I know I have to be the weirdo. :)

Dawn, I'm also going to my 20th high school reunion in October! If anyone has something to be proud of, YOU DO! A great husband, beautiful children, a enormously popular blog, a book - you have an amazing and wonderful life. Go Dawn!

I actually did a podcast about practical weight loss tips for moms called "Help! My High School Reunion is Coming" that you might get a kick out of. I'd be really thrilled if you took a peek at my site and podcast "Losing Weight After Baby" at http://www.losingweightafterbaby.com

you have made me laugh so hard today...feeding the ground hogs what a funny thing to pick up....love the movie...i didn't go to my ruinion i feel like if i wanted to know them still i would still be friends with them. but i did get the gosipe and i wish i would have went there is always the one person that makes it worth while...go enjoy.